I moved my parents from FL to live with us in my household back in Oct. 2016, my dad was diagnosis and battling mesothelioma. He had weakened considerably after 2 rounds of chemo, then 2 rounds of immunotherapy. My mom had gotten into a severe car accident that she is lucky she and the other driver survived and refuses to drive. So the need for them to be with me was essential. I have now been acting as caregiver for them both, but lost my dad in Jan. 2017. I was the sole caregiver during home hospice and tried to keep my family intergrated while my mom's depression and stress were astronomical. We have now moved in my mother in-law with us due to her being in her mid 80s with the start of Parkinson's disease, hearing impairment, and memory issues. Its is a massive juggling act daily. My lessons are: take time for yourself to exercise, read, eat properly, and I work part time in the evenings for a sanity break. Find something to be grateful for each and every day, laugh out loud, smile at others, and realize you cannot do it all. Be an advocate and support their choices, but keep yourself healthy- because if you go down so does everyone else. Don't cut back on sleep make it a priority to combat stress. My motto on rough day " Just Breathe, take an moment. It is OK and can be worked through."
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Hi Miss Willow. I left my good, university job to take care of who had zero to 3 months to live... august 1, 2012. I alone cared for her till my dr said my blood pressure was too high to leave his office (this was now 2014). I took the prescript which made me cough endlessly. I told him I was going to stop taking it; he said cardiac event was eminent. I said ok, people die. He said I could have a stroke and live with paralysis. I withdrew my retirement and started meditation and all things healthy. I'm out of $ which would have been 3mil, but I'm grateful. Nor that I have a choice, but life is a gift. I'm getting cert CNA cert and starting a business. I have a wait list of wealthy clients and I believe I will have then scenario A. It's a booming market with a surlus of clients. And I have my mom and my health. Things are nearly balanced. Hang on! Lisa :)
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All good points but they are easier said than done. For two years I was the main caregiver for my dad. Other siblings would complain about a messy house but do nothing to help. Or, if my dad would ask something if them, they'd respond that I could do it. Once when I was sick and couldn't drive him to visit my mom, I got a call saying I should drive home and wait in the car. When I said I had the flu, it was suggested I wear a face mask. So, like I said, easier said than done when others don't want to help.

It was hard but I know I did what was right because I was not about to abandon a 91 year old blind man who wondered why his other children didn't visit much. Their loss.
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As a care giver for my elderly parents, this list is easier said than done. Too often other family members don't help. It was the hardest two years of my life. My parents are now both in a nursing home...my mom with severe dementia and my dad simply because he is blind and unable to walk.
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The article sounds great. Good luck doing it. I am a caregiver for my parents. Daddy died 3 yrs ago after living with us for 2. Mom lives on her own. I have a great husband picking up the financial end so I can take care of her. During Dad illness I worked 60 plus hrs a week. It was brutal. Report

This really didn't touch on those are a care-giver and very little services are available. my mother was dying of cancer. She was put on Hospice, but could only have a home health nurse would visit, bathe, take her vitals. I was alone with her the rest of the time. I was also 200 miles away from family and friends. The only thing I had was the telephone. This lasted for 2 months.

Care giving is not easy. I even had to do the dirty work that no one likes to do. Report

I've been a paid caregiver for 25 years and for my folks now for over 3 years of whom I won't be paid for. I love them dearly and they can get on my last nerve, simply cause they are my parents. Where I live is next door to my parents. My husband and I talk to our neighbors and know of some of our problems and we know of some of theirs. Basically we help each other. Luckily I found that one is a retired nurse about my age and we go to the same church. If I have to go up North she has been able to keep tabs on them. I love the way of the Indian where it takes a village to care and help with the up bringing of a child. Like wise they repect the elders. Trusting in others is not always easy for everybody to do, but it does work for us.
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